Grease Compatibility Chart and Reference Guide

In industrial lubrication, maintenance teams often aim for consistency by using the same products over time to ensure smooth operation. However, conditions may require switching lubricants.

For oils, a full change is often possible, and compatibility is easily assessed when mixing is unavoidable. In grease-lubricated systems, it’s harder to fully remove the old grease during a switch. Grease suppliers typically recommend purging as much old grease as possible, but this step can be skipped if the new grease is compatible with the previous one.

Understanding Grease Compatibility

Determining grease compatibility can be confusing, as compatibility charts from different manufacturers often contradict each other. In the past, simple soaps like lithium and calcium were easy to mix, while clay-based greases were generally incompatible. Today, with a wider variety of thickeners like polyurea, calcium sulfonate, and complex soaps, compatibility has become more complex.

Grease mixtures are classified as:

• Compatible: Properties remain similar.
• Incompatible: Properties differ significantly.
• Borderline: Acceptability depends on the application.

Polyurea greases and lithium-based greases are especially debated in terms of compatibility. Since polyurea thickeners vary widely, compatibility testing is essential before mixing different greases. Grease suppliers typically provide compatibility data or offer testing services to ensure proper use.

For more information,we are ready to assist. Contact us at following email address for help in selecting the right lubricant for your application.

 info@tle.com.pk

Reference: Importance of Lubrication

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